The 6-1, 190-pound Holmes never broke into a major role with the Fighting Irish. Holmes knows some questioned his consistency. He said a lack of opportunity prevented him from establishing that consistency.

"I've got a lot to prove," Holmes said prior to the first practice of camp.

"I'm looking at this as an opportunity to prove wrong all the people who might have doubted my game at one point in time. Or, prove the people right who had believed in me when I was at Notre Dame and show them, hey, I'm capable, and I could compete with any receiver in the country."

Purdue brought Holmes in because it needed an injection of both talent and experience at receiver. Holmes picked Purdue because new Boilermaker coach Jeff Brohm's wide-open offensive approach and returning starter David Blough presented a chance for a receiver to thrive.

However, Holmes hasn't practiced since Aug. 3 — the first practice of the season. A right hamstring injury relegated him to the sideline and the training room. Holmes said earlier this week he has no timetable but doesn't expect to be out long.

Brohm, in his media day press conference prior to the first practice, spoke optimistically of Holmes' prototypical size and speed. However, those compliments came with a caveat.

Holmes reported to campus later than most because he was finishing his degree at Notre Dame. As a result, Brohm hadn't seen him much with his own eyes. He wondered whether Holmes' conditioning and stamina would be sufficient for immediately playing at a high level.

"It's just going to be a matter of, has he stayed in shape over the summer," Brohm said at media day. "They all say they have, but when they get here, we'll see.

"I do believe he has worked hard. I just hope he's in physical condition enough. We'll have to take care of him early on to make sure of that, but I do believe he can help us this year."

Brohm's answer came midway through the first practice. Holmes made several catches and effectively eluded coverage. Yet before the end of practice he stood on the sidelines of the Mollenkopf Athletic Center with his helmet off, talking to the trainers.

Holmes said earlier this week he had dealt with a hamstring issue "a long time ago," but not recently.

Holmes said he worked out at Brandon Marshall's Fit Speed facility in Chicago over the summer. While that helped him from a cardiovascular standpoint, he speculates he hadn't adequately prepared for football moves when camp started.

"You can't really simulate the route after route after route, so my legs hadn't really been used to that," Holmes said. "I think that's what happened. I kind of rushed into it."

Holmes' career began under the tutelage of another NFL receiver. Hall of Famer Cris Carter was his position coach at St. Thomas Aquinas in Pembroke Pines, Florida.

Holmes admits he was star-struck at first but came to cherish an opportunity few players receive. ESPN listed him as a top 100 player coming out of high school. He played in the Under Armor All-American Game.

"He preached the importance of having confidence in yourself," Holmes said of Carter. "That was something any receiver that played under him would have. He taught us how to catch the ball, how to run routes, releases — everything."

Holmes' confidence remains intact despite the disappointment of his tenure at Notre Dame. He played in only two games over his first two years in the program. Last season he appeared in all 12 games, totaling 96 yards on 11 receptions.

Purdue needs a new deep threat to replace departed seniors DeAngelo Yancey (now with the Green Bay Packers) and Bilal Marshall. Holmes believes he can fill that role, but doesn't want to limit himself.

The Boilermakers briefly glimpsed that promise before the hamstring issue popped up. They're eager to see it again.

"He's a great route runner," redshirt freshman receiver Jackson Anthrop said. "He's got great speed. He's a guy that can get you deep. That's one thing that's huge for this offense and I'm looking forward to seeing him play."